Timo Meier returns; Sharks win.

The San Jose Sharks are frustratingly inconsistent. One week they look like world beaters. The following week they are getting beat by the world. This is a team that should be running away with the Pacific Division. Instead they are middling around the, well, middle of the pack.

The good news is that the Pacific is perhaps the weakest its been in several years. That's allowed the Sharks to keep pace. But, just keeping pace is simply not good enough. It's time for San Jose to make a move. They are too talented to be this mediocre.

They beat up on the Canes 5-1on Wednesday night with Timo Meier and friends leading the way. Timo returned to the lineup after missing the previous three games - all SJ losses. His presence was immediately felt.

The 22-year-old had a goal and two assists. Linemates Joe Thornton and Marcus Sorensen also had big games. Jumbo had three assists for the 58th time in his career. Sorensen picked up his fifth goal of the season. Meier has become a vital cog in this machine. When he's healthy, his combo of grit and skill makes the Sharks much harder to play against. Let's hope Meier has a healthy rest of the season.

San Jose hits the road for two games before heading home for two. This is has to be the point the Sharks flip the script on the season and get on a roll. Three of the next four games are against teams battling for a Western Conference playoff spots. The other is the East's last place team - New Jersey. My hunch is if the Sharks are going to have any success over this stretch Meier's line will be right at the forefront.